Speaking of Public Health… Dr Gia Sison talks about the healthcare causes she supports

Mental health

With the rise in mental health
issues among Filipinos, it is no longer surprising why many legislators, local
celebrities, and influencers are pushing for the passage of a law that would
address such needs in the country. Just recently, the Philippine Senate approved
the Mental Health Act on third and final reading. But the fight for the
Philippine mental health is far from over, according to Dr Sison.

“The Mental Health Act still
needs to pass the House of Representatives. What we are pushing for is for them
to prioritise its approval,” Dr Sison explained.

Among the areas that the
Philippines can take action on for the betterment of mental health in the
country include access to mental health professionals, support centres and
support groups; affordability of medicine, and most importantly, the sustained
awareness regarding the importance of mental health.

“Such sustained awareness will
help curb the stigma people have on mental illnesses,” said Dr Sison.

Digital health

The Philippines ranks first in
Facebook usage, and has consistently been among the top five users of YouTube
(5th), Twitter (5th), and Google+ (4th). And while social media is one of the
most effective channels to disseminate information, it is also, unfortunately,
an instrument to distribute
false information.

Aside from misinformation on
social media, healthcare professionals must be mindful of their posts, as these
may reflect negatively on their image as medical practitioners.

Speaking from experience as a
core collaborator in #HealthXPh—an online discussion space created and
maintained by healthcare stakeholders—Dr Sison said they follow certain
guidelines, a manifesto on how they should act on their social media account.

Some of the pointers mentioned in
#HealthXPh’s manifesto include not using social media to rant or bash patients
and other healthcare professionals; sharing only accurate medical and
professional information; promoting health rather than medical products, among
others.

Breast cancer

As a breast cancer survivor, one
issue that Dr Sison is very concerned about is the cost of treatment for cancer
in the country.

“The cost of chemotherapy in the
Philippines is no joke,” laments Dr Sison. “During my time in 2013, it would
cost me Php 85,000 for just one cycle, and I had to undergo six cycles.

“Even though local government
agencies like PCSO and PhilHealth have packages for cancer, I feel that it
still lacks in reaching out to the marginalised Filipinos.”

Meanwhile, she shared that her
fight against the disease shifted her perspectives and priorities in life so
much so that today she is more into giving back to society by supporting
certain advocacies close to her heart.

“Before my diagnosis, I was not
as active as I am now in putting forward my advocacies,” said Dr Sison. “I
believe it really is different when you undergo a life-changing test.”

One of the lessons she has
learned from winning her battle against cancer is to put health as a priority
before anything else—a learning she hopes to share with other doctors like her.

“I would like for us doctors to
walk the talk,” Dr Sison advised. “When you tell your patients to do certain
things to improve their health, you should follow the same instructions.

“It also allows you to have more conviction in
giving guidelines to patients because you, yourself, are following the exact
same instructions.” MIMS